Corporate social responsibility is redefining how many companies conduct business. According to a 2012 study by MIT, Sustainability Nears a Tipping Point, the majority of over 4,000 respondents are committed to sustainability, and this is no passing phase. Over 70% of respondents indicate sustainability has a permanent place on corporate agendas with no plans to decrease their commitment. In fact, the majority have increased their commitment. Going green provides organizations with more than just the satisfaction of adopting green energy practices and green design.
The MIT study concludes that organizations that fully embrace sustainability are reaping financial benefits. Referred to as “harvesters”, these are companies that have integrated green practices into their corporate culture and structure and have found that these changes lead to increased innovation, market share, and profitability. The clear conclusion is that companies that fail to embrace sustainability may not be able to continue to compete against those that do.
In order to achieve this shift, companies must establish sustainability as a high priority strategic initiative and implement it across the entire organization. Sustainability training is a critical component for success. Powered by University Alliance’s instructor-led, video-based e-learning technology, the University of Vermont’s Advanced Certificate in Sustainable Innovation can provide the training employees need to become agents of change and position their organization for success. Students will learn how to maximize the Triple Bottom Line to boost revenue, gain a competitive edge, and capitalize on sustainability trends.
“Sustainability is proving to be a critical strategic initiative for organizations that want to reduce their overall bottom line and increase profitability, said Adrian Marrullier, Executive Vice President at University Alliance. “The University of Vermont is pleased to help organizations provide the training they need to remain competitive.”
With a clear connection to improvements to their bottom line, companies across the globe are now wisely offering sustainability training to their employees. University-led online programs, such as the Advanced Certificate in Sustainable Innovation offered by the University of Vermont, a U.S. News & World Report-ranked and regionally accredited university, are an excellent option to provide employees with a solid background and understanding in sustainable development.
To find out more about how the University of Vermont’s Advanced Certificate in Sustainable Innovation can lead to corporate sustainability and improvements to the bottom line, visit http://www.universityofvermontonline.com/online-certificates/sustainable-innovation.aspx today.
About the University of Vermont
Founded in 1791, the University of Vermont combines faculty-student relationships most commonly found in a small liberal arts college with the resources of a major research institution. It is the fifth oldest university in New England (after Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and Brown). Located in Burlington, Vermont, UVM's setting in a valley on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and the Green mountain ranges, inspires visitors and residents alike.
About University Alliance
The University Alliance (UA) facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate’s, bachelor’s and master’s degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation’s leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA’s technology and support services, its university partners have surpassed 450,000 online enrollments – making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country. University partners include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame’s Mendoza College of Business, Florida Institute of Technology, Michigan State University, the University of San Francisco, the University of Vermont, The University of Scranton, Jacksonville University, Dominican University, New England College, and Tulane University’s Freeman School of Business.